ROADING UPDATE – ŌTOROHANGA DISTRICT

Ōtorohanga District Council and our contractors including Inframax Construction Ltd are continuing to work together to repair roads damaged in the February severe weather event. We appreciate your patience.

• Information below outlines progress on roads that remain closed or partially closed. Some repairs will take longer where damage is more significant, as we want to ensure lasting solutions.
• All timeframes are weather-dependent and subject to change as new challenges may be discovered as work continues.
• If you do not have residents-only access, please respect all road closure signs. Check this page regularly for the latest roading updates.

Updated 19 March

Lurman Road (Maihiihi) – Now open. Please drive with caution.

Mangati Road Bridge: Our contractors installed a permanent bridge on 17 March to replace the one washed out in the February floods and it opened 19 March 2026. Please note: This is a council-owned bridge on a district road. Separately, NZTA are working to install a temporary bridge on State Highway 39 to replace their Mangati Bridge that washed away in the floods. They aim to have it open by Friday 20 March and advise it will initially be one-way only. This will reconnect the community south of Pirongia. 

Otewa Road – Now open with one lane. Please drive with caution through the marked lane. Do not stop or walk under the slip. Drivers of large vehicles are advised to take particular care and make their own judgment about whether to proceed.

ROADS CLOSED

Pirongia West Road (Pirongia / Te Pahu)
This road is open except at the Pekanui Road end, where there are multiple slips through the bush section. The affected area runs for approximately 3km beginning around 5km from the Pekanui Road end. The closure does not affect residential properties. Contractors are clearing the bush section and we anticipate the road may reopen in approximately two weeks.

State Highway 39 – Ngutunui Road to Te Tahi Road
NZTA aim to open a new temporary bridge on State Highway 39 to replace their Mangati Bridge that washed away in the February floods. They aim to have it open by Friday 20 March and advise it will initially be one-way only. This will reconnect the community south of Pirongia. 

Current access conditions:

• Tihiroa to Puketotara Road – Open

• Puketotara Road to Te Tahi Road – Closed

• Te Tahi Road to Pirongia – Open

• Ōtorohanga to SH31 and Ngutunui Road – Open

Please note there are two Mangati bridges in the district. The SH39 bridge is owned by NZTA Waka Kotahi, while the Mangati Road bridge is owned by Ōtorohanga District Council.

For the latest information on state highways, please check the NZTA Waka Kotahi online journey planner.

ROADS OPEN WITH ONE LANE ONLY

The following roads are open but have sections reduced to one lane due to slips or dropouts (where land underneath the road has fallen away).

Contractors are working on these roads and delays may occur. Thank you for your patience.

• Aotearoa Road

• Bayley Road

• Hikurangi Road

• Kio Kio Station Road

• Kiwi Road

• Maihiihi Road

• Ngaroma Road

• Otewa Road (drivers of large vehicles should make their own judgment whether to proceed)

• Lurman Road

• Otoru Road

• Paewhenua Road

• Pirongia West Road (open except at Pekanui Road end)

• SH31 (between SH39 and Ngutunui Road)

• Tauraroa Valley Road

• Taupaki Road

• Te Kawa Road

• Wairehi Road